Tips and Resources for Long Distance Caregivers

So Far Away: Long Distance Caregiver Tips

Definition
of a long distance caregiver - "Caregivers who provide care for an
elder who lives at least an hour away”. According
to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, there are 5 to 7
million long- distance-caregivers in the U.S. who are caring for
an older relative – a number that is expected to double over the
next 15 years. They live on average 480 miles from the people for
whom they care and spend an average of four hours in travel time
per visit.

As
a result, a growing number of adult sons and daughters are
discovering just how hard it is to try to ensure the welfare of
aging parents who live hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles
away.

Are You a Long
Distance Caregiver? Get Prepared!

Long-distance caregiving is usually defined as care provided by a
caregiver living more than an hour away from the care recipient.

Long-distance
care giving can take many forms - from helping manage the money to
arranging forin-home
carefrom
providing somerespitefor the primary
caregiver to helping a parent move to a new home or facility.

Given the choice, most senior would prefer to continue to live in
their own homes known as"aging
in place". Unfortunately the majority of elderly people
gradually lose functioning ability and require either additional
assistance in the home or a move to an elder care facility.

The adult children of these elders often face a difficult
challenge in helping their parents make the right choices
especially if they live a distance away. This is why understanding
what elder care is, and what it involves, is so important.

Talk, discuss, learn what services and elder care options are
available in the community BEFORE a situation or crisis arises.

Learn About Elder Care
OptionsElder care is so broad based.
It encompasses a wide variety of issues, including choosing an
appropriatephysician
to care for an aging patient, and making decisions about
moving an elderly person from the home environment to a
residential care setting.

It
could also encompass arranging for in home care. There are two
types of in home care: Medical (skilled care) and Non-Medical
(social care).

In
home elder care includes a wide range of services that are
provided over an extended period of time to people who need help
to perform normal activities of daily living such as eating,
dressing and bathing because of cognitive impairment or loss of
muscular strength or control.

They may also need assistance with meal planning and
preparation, laundry, obtaining medical care, paying their bills
paid, senior transportation to and from their doctor appointments
as well as to the grocery store.

Medical in home elder care can include rehabilitative therapies,
skilled nursing care, palliative care, and social services, as
well as supervision and a wide range of supportive personal care
provided by family caregivers and/or home health care agencies.
Elder care can be long-term or short-term depending on the needs
and situation.

Modifying
Ones Home

Elder care can include modifying ones home to make it safer and
easier to remaining living there. Adaptations can include features
that make it easier and safer to manage activities of daily living
such as bathing, cooking, and stair climbing.

Alterations to the physical structure of the home can improve its
overall safety and condition. Home modification examples include
installing grab bars and transfer benches in bathrooms, ramps, and
handrails for home access.

There are also ways today to
convert the standard step-in bath tub, which can become a safety
hazard, to a new
'walk-in' type bath tub. Older adults may tend
not to bath as often as they should for fear of
falling. These type of home modifications can make a big
difference in making your loved ones home safer.

Medical
Alert Systems

Elder care can also include setting your loved one up with a
medical alert system. By doing so, everyone is given peace of mind
in knowing that if needed, emergency assistance is available at
the push of a button.

It's also a good idea to get the names and phone numbers of your
elder loves ones next door neighbor or close friend. In the event
you can't them by phone you can contact this person and ask them
go over and check on them for you, notify you and the authorities
should they find something not right. Be sure they have your
contact numbers too.

Aging
is like taxes. It's guaranteed so it's always best to be as
knowledgeable and prepared as one can, so when the time does
arise, better more informed decisions are made. With aging comes a
greater need for home care services, senior living communities,
respite for the thousands of caregivers trying to work and care
for an elder loved one.

DISCLAIMER: Links to other websites or
references to products, services or publications do not imply the
endorsement or approval of such websites, products, services or
publications by Elder Options of Texas. The determination of the
need for senior care services and the choice of a facility is an
extremely important decision. Please make your own independent
investigation.